It's not gaming. It's just the power floor rule for ESP/SSP/SSR. If you have an accurate load that meets the rule, then use it.
Now if you were shooting a Glock 21 in SSP with a 230 gr bullet going 544 fps, and you could watch it going downrange and hear it punch thru the paper, ya maybe. But it's legal.

I think it is considered gamey because a properly set-up 1911 in 9mm caliber will yield the best scores. All things being equal (and they never are), you could shoot a higher score with a 9 than an identical .45 or .40, and you could shoot a higher score with a 1911 than a Glock or Hi-Power, or what-have-you. A 9mm 1911 would be a silly carry or duty gun, and that would be another reason to think of it as a gamer's gun, in what is supposed to be a "defensive" sport.

I don't think a 9mm 1911 would be considered "silly" as a carry or duty weapon. I know of several officers who switched to the P18 9mm Para Ordnance because of 1) proven 1911 system 2) 18+1 magazine capacity, and 3) 9mm works just fine if you know how to shoot. Although a single stack may not be my first choice, it is not the caliber.

I don't think it is "gaming" it in IDPA either. Enhanced Service Pistol is for single actions and the 9mm, 38 Super, and 40 S&W are the calibers allowed by the rules. Of course there will be a few 9x23, 357 Sig, and other such calibers. But 45 and 10MM are not allowed in this class.

So then you look at what is most accurate (9mm and 38 Super), easiest to load for (9mm), and most controllable in rapid fire (9mm). Easy choice for me in this class.

For IDPA, I shoot a P14-45 in CDP, P18-9mm in ESP, and Sig P226-9mm in SSP.

In IPSC, I shoot a Racer P14-38 Super in Open, the P14-45 or the P18-9mm in Limited and Limited 10, and the Sig in Production.

When in LE, I carried the P226 9mm most of time, a P220-45 for a while, and a Glock 17 or 22 only when forced to by Dept. regulations. Had my Dept. allowed single action pistols for duty carry, I assure you I would have carried the P18-9mm. My reasons are listed in the first paragraph, with special attention to #3.

Due to a problem with my right wrist I find shooting 45's painful. But I really love the feel of a 1911 and the Single Action trigger. The best solution for me is to get a 9mm 1911 (which I did). Am I gaming it? No. Is the person that shoots a special Kimber 45 but carries a Glock gaming it? IMHO, Yes.

From what I've seen (all of 3 matches ), the top performers where I compete use 9mm. Even the top wannabes use 9mm. Me, I use 9mm because that is the caliber I have available right now. When I get the opportunity, I'll shoot 45 acp too.

I shoot my 9mm Hi-Power better than I shot my custom franken Colt .45. Its also a ton more reliable. Could I shoot my commander? Sure.. but the back of my hand would be a bloody mess by the end of the day.

Hardly anyone shoots ESP in my club. I for one don't see how carrying less ammo (CDP, SSR) by the rules is gaming anything.

I see plenty of 9mm in competition.. the only concern we ever had was for a heavy steel popper that a 9 "might not" knock down. It went down hard.

I'm using the most reliable, accurate and no nonsense weapon I own, I shoot factory ammo and the gun is barely customized (magazine disconector removed, houge grips). Is that gaming? I hope not. That's also the gun that sits on my nightstand.

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